Archetype Definition Part 2

 As we have discovered, an Archetype is defined as an invisible, immaterial, Platonic mental concept that exists independently and autonomously.   Archetypes, therefore, are real, living entities.

Because Archetypes are Unconscious (which is defined as those thoughts that we are not aware of), they are, by their very nature, unknowable.  But they are known when they are manifested to the Conscious Mind in the form of Symbols (dreams, active imagination, myths, legends, religion, art, poetry and more).

Jung teaches that our empirical, rational Western mindset tends to neglect or suppress Archetypes.  In fact, many even deny that such Archetypes exist at all.  This neglect, suppression or denial (according to Jung) of Archetypes leads to an imbalanced psyche.   This imbalance is due to the fact that the Conscious Mind and the Unconscious Mind are not synchronized (that is, out of harmony with each other).  Eventually, according to Jung, the suppressed Unconscious Mind will "explode" into the Conscious Mind in the form of the Shadow (which is defined as the Shadowy side, the Dark side, the Sinful side of our psychic nature).

According to Jung, then, Unconscious Archetypes are essential to Conscious Mental Balance.

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